Dairy products, including milk, are a big no for people who suffer lactose intolerance.
The human body does not directly absorb lactose. Enzyme lactase produced in our body breaks down lactose into simple sugars that our body can intake easily.
As we get older, the body makes less or no lactase and can’t tolerate milk sugar.
However, this doesn’t mean lactose-intolerant people can’t enjoy milk products. The best alternative to combat the intolerance is drinking lactose-free drinking milk.
This article will review all the different lactose-free milk brands available on the market and what to consider when buying lactose-free milk.
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Considerations
Since some individual’s bodies can’t digest milk sugar, lactose-free milk is available in the market under different brands with low or no lactose at all.
Soy, almond, and other plant-based milk are an excellent choice for people with lactose intolerance.
When buying non-dairy milk, here are some of the main factors to consider.
Nutrition
Soy milk is the most common lactose-free milk available for many years as it has similar protein and calcium content like cow milk.
A cup of soymilk has 7g of protein compared to 8g cow milk cup, while oat milk offers 4g of protein.
Soy milk is the best non-dairy milk option if you want nutrition closest to regular cow’s milk.
However, some people are allergic to soy, so then almond, rice, coconut, cashew, and oat milk is the best choice.
Although almond, rice, and coconut milk taste sweeter, they are low in protein and vitamin D than regular milk.
Almond milk is great for those who want to reduce calories as its lowest in fats, whereas coconut milk has the highest amount of saturated fats.
Flavor
Almond milk is the most popular non-dairy milk when it comes to flavor. It has a moderate almond flavor which people love it.
Oat milk has a slightly sweet oat taste while coconut milk has mild coconut flavor.
A lot of non-dairy milk contains stabilizers and added sugars, so read out the label before purchasing. It’s better to go for unsweetened milk to enjoy the natural taste.
Fortified lactose-free milk
Organic or cow’s milk is rich in protein and supplies much of the calcium.
When you replace it with plant-based milk with no lactose present, you miss out on most of the essential calcium and vitamins.
Most lactose-free milk is fortified with calcium and vitamins (E, D, A, and B12), so it’s better to buy fortified milk to meet daily nutritional needs.
If soy milk is fortified, it can have the same mineral and vitamin content as dairy milk.
Top Lactose-Free Milk Brand Comparison
[wptb id=4129]Best Overall Lactose-Free Milk Brands
Westsoy Unsweetened Soymilk
The Westsoy unsweetened soymilk is 100% lactose-free yet it provides proteins and other essential nutrients found in regular milk.
It is made from natural organic ingredients that include soy and filtered water only.
This gluten and nut-free non-GMO soymilk don’t contain additional ingredients like sweeteners or additives.
Unlike other lactose-free milk that is low in protein, this 32 FL OZ milk pack provides 9g protein and 5g fat per 8FL OZ with 100 calories.
Besides, it’s much easier to digest and has a creamy smooth texture. A good source of potassium and iron! No cholesterol and 1g of saturated fat per serving make it heart-smart milk. It’s good for preparing the vegan yogurt and the yogurt will be delicious. It’s a healthier option than many other competitors.
Certified from USDA Organic and American Heart Association, it’s a perfect choice for people who prefer unflavored plain lactose-free milk with high protein content.
However, the milk is non-fortified and doesn’t contain any calcium, vitamin A, and C.
Pros
- Plant-based and lactose-free
- High in protein
- Natural taste with no additives; plain unsweetened
- Certified from USDA ORGANIC
- No nuts and gluten
Cons
- No vitamins and calcium
Silk Almond Milk
Low in fat but high in calcium for stronger bones! The almond milk with a little bit of vanilla flavor provides 450mg of calcium per cup serving that is 50% more than regular dairy milk.
Not only high in calcium, but silky-textured milk is also an excellent source of iron, potassium, and Vitamin D, A, and E. However, it only provides 1g protein per serving.
Its good to drink with the chocolate cookies. This milk balances out the sweetness nicely in most cereals.
The 32 FL OZ milk pack is packaged, especially for non-refrigerator storage, making it shelf-stable.
Made from almonds, filtered water, and blend of minerals and vitamins, it is free from fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, food colorings, or sugars.
It’s a great alternative for people with milk protein or wheat allergy as Silk almond milk contains no casein, egg, gluten, and soy.
Pros
- 50% more calcium than cow milk
- Source of minerals and vitamins
- Doesn’t contain casein, gluten, or soy
- Non-GMO
- Shelf-stable
Cons
- Lower in protein
Silk Unsweetened Organic Soymilk
This Silk Soymilk made from whole-harvested soybeans is the best pick if you want a blend of calcium, protein, and other essential nutrients in your lactose-free milk.
One of the best aseptic milk available, the unsweetened organic soymilk, can be easily stored without refrigeration.
It comes in a 946ml pack that provides 80 calories per cup (240ml). A great calcium source; this plant-based milk has as much calcium as dairy milk. 8g complete proteins per cup serving make it equivalent to cow milk but without lactose and casein.
You can use this as normal milk to make chai latte, coffee, and cereals. Its’ really good for the vegans and tastes good.
Not only is the milk rich in soy protein and calcium, but it is also fortified with potassium, iron, Riboflavin, vitamin A, D, E, and B12.
Pros
- 8g of soy proteins per serving
- fortified with calcium, minerals, and vitamins
- Non-GMO and lactose-free
- Organic ingredients with no artificial flavors
Cons
- Some people have a soy allergy.
Best Lactose-Free Milk UK
Oatly Oat Drink Barista Edition
The Oatly oat milk is free from lactose, milk protein, and soy. To meet your nutritional needs, it is fortified with calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, and Riboflavin to help support bone health. As compared to dairy milk, this oat drink is low in saturated fats with no allergens or milk protein casein.
Also, it contains zero cholesterol and lowers blood cholesterol because of dietary fiber called beta-glucan in oats.
People tend to love its taste; this barista edition mimics the properties of whole fat milk.
It’s nice and creamy to create foam on latte and cappuccino. It’s a great substitute for the creamy milk especially if you are a vegan.
Pros
- Contains more fiber than cow’s milk
- Creamy and delicious taste
- No added sugar or oils during manufacturing
- No casein, lactose, and soy
Cons
- Expensive